“All his discourses” [says the writer] “abounded with comical stories, which generally concluded with something to his own praise. Before his departure, he caused a paper to be written, containing words to this purpose: ‘On such a day, at such a sermon, we, the following subscribers, were converted from the evil of our ways to the true faith of Jesus Christ.’ Many persons ignorantly put their names to this paper, without knowing what they signed. This document Mr. Wesley carried with him to show the great success of his ministry in Aberdeen. He also purchased a place for a tabernacle, which is now fitted up with seats, and to which he sends a new preacher every six months. They preach in this tabernacle every Sunday at 7 a.m. and at 6 p.m.; and also on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 5 a.m. and at 7 p.m.; while, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays they meet at 6 p.m. for private examination.
“The preachers frequently declare, in their public discourses, that they come not for stipend, but to win souls to Christ. And yet, it is well known, that every person who joins the society pays to a common collector, who is accountable to Mr. Wesley, one penny per week, and also, for a ticket of admission to their private examinations, sixteen pence every quarter. This tax is paid by servant maids and the lower class of hearers; but people in more opulent circumstances pay considerably more; and it may justly be questioned whether the people of any religious sect in Britain pay so much towards the maintenance of their ministers as the Methodists; for the lowest of their hearers pay 9s. 8d. per annum, which, considering the vast number of Methodists in Scotland, England, and Ireland, amounts to a very great sum.
“Having thus established the church at Aberdeen, Mr. Wesley, at the request of an honourable gentleman, accompanied him to his country seat. The minister of the parish complimented him with his pulpit; where, at the gentleman’s desire, he held forth against the pernicious practice of stealing wood; which so irritated his hearers, that they would infallibly have stoned him, had they not been restrained through fear of disobliging their master landlord.
“Mr. Wesley came again to Aberdeen on the 24th ultimo; and, during his stay, preached twice a day, as formerly, and had private conferences with his congregation at night, and recommended the keeping of a lovefeast at every full moon. Such a lovefeast was held before Mr. Wesley left. In the morning of the day on which the full moon happens, all the men meet in one place; in the afternoon, the women meet by themselves; and at night both men and women meet together. Their employment then is to eat bread and drink water with one another, to spend the whole night in prayer and singing hymns, and then to part with a brotherly kiss.”
This account is given, not because of belief in its accuracy, but because of its general historic interest.
Having spent a fortnight across the Tweed, Wesley, on the 14th of May, came to Berwick; and, after preaching there, and at Alnwick, Warksworth, Alemouth, Widdrington, Morpeth, and Placey, reached Newcastle four days afterwards. A month was occupied in itinerating the Newcastle circuit. He preached in the new chapel at Sunderland; and also in Monkwearmouth church. He visited Allandale, Weardale, Teesdale, and Swaledale. In Weardale he came “just in time to prevent all the society turning Dissenters, being quite disgusted at the curate, whose life was no better than his doctrine.” In Teesdale, most of the lead miners had been turned out of their work for being Methodists; but had been reinstated. In Swaledale, he “found an earnest, loving, simple people, whom he likewise exhorted not to leave the Church, though they had not the best of ministers.”
While in the north, Wesley wrote as follows to his sister, Mrs. Hall.
“Near Newcastle upon Tyne, June 14, 1761.
“Dear Patty,—Why should any of us live in the world without doing a little good in it? I am glad you have made a beginning. See that you are not weary in well doing; for it will often be a cross. But bear the cross; the best fruit grows under the cross.
“I have often thought it strange, that so few of my relations should be of any use to me in the work of God. My sister Wright was, of whom I should least have expected it; but it was only for a short season. My sister Emily and you, of whom one might have expected more, have, I know not how, kept at a distance, and sometimes cavilled a little, at other times, as it were, approved, but never heartily joined in the work. Where did it stick? Did you not thoroughly understand what my brother and I were doing? Did you not see the truth? Or, did the cause lie in your heart? You had no will to join hand in hand. You wanted resolution, spirit, patience. Well: the day is far spent. What you do, do quickly.